Psychology of the Parasha
A collection of reflections from Sefer Shemot, Sefer Bamidbar, and Sefer Devarim exploring Torah through the lens of psychology, relationships, and emotional life.
Shemot
Beshalach · Yitro
Why Do Chazal Compare Finding a Spouse and Earning a Livelihood to the Splitting of the Sea?
Nachshon, faith, marriage, livelihood, and the courage to take the next step.
2 min read · Journal Edition · BeshalachBeshalachWho Split the Sea?
A reflection on Kriat Yam Suf, perspective, appreciation, and seeing what is already being given.
2 min read · Journal Edition · BeshalachYitroPeace: The Vessel That Holds Blessing
Yitro, Har Sinai, peace, containment, and learning to preserve the blessings already present.
2 min read · Journal Edition · YitroBamidbar
Shelach · Korach · Chukat–Balak · Pinchas · Matot · Mas’ei
The Danger of Negative Labels
How negative labels distort perception in Torah, marriage, and everyday relationships.
3 min read · Journal Edition · ShelachKorachDangers of Focusing on What We Lack
Korach, attention, gratitude, comparison, and learning to appreciate what Boreh Olam has already given us.
3 min read · Journal Edition · KorachKorachThe Wisdom to Build a Home
Korach, On ben Pelet, and the difference between strengthening resentment and helping someone regain perspective.
4 min read · Journal Edition · KorachKorachOn ben Pelet and the Strength to Listen
On ben Pelet, humility, teachability, and the courage to reconsider a path we have already chosen.
3 min read · Journal Edition · KorachChukat–BalakFinding Meaning in the Wilderness
Chukat, Parah Adumah, meaning-making, and learning to understand the wilderness through a deeper lens of growth and guidance.
3 min read · Journal Edition · Chukat-BalakChukat–BalakThe Enduring Commitment
Chukat, Balak, perspective, gratitude, and learning to see relationships through the lens of love rather than accusation.
3 min read · Journal Edition · Chukat-BalakPinchasWhat Do I Owe This Relationship?
Pinchas, the Korban Tamid, daily consistency, and shifting from what others owe us to what we owe the relationship.
3 min read · Journal Edition · PinchasMatotWhen Words Carry Weight
Matot, vows, confirmation bias, responsibility, and building relationships through trustworthy words.
3 min read · Journal Edition · MatotMas’eiIt Takes a Journey
Mas'ei, life’s stages and transitions, and recognizing how each stop along the journey can shape who we become.
3 min read · Journal Edition · Mas'eiDevarim
Devarim · Va’etchanan · Eikev · Re’eh · Shoftim · Ki Teitzei · Ki Tavo
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Devarim, autobiographical memory, meaning-making, and how the stories we tell about our experiences shape who we become.
3 min read · Journal Edition · DevarimDevarimBuilding Togetherness
Devarim, trust, shared responsibility, and how lasting relationships are built when “me” and “you” become “us.”
3 min read · Journal Edition · DevarimDevarimLeading in Loneliness
Devarim, role isolation, emotional capacity, and why even the strongest leaders need support.
3 min read · Journal Edition · DevarimVa’etchananWhen the Answer Is No
Va’etchanan, effort, acceptance, and learning how to move forward when an answer cannot be changed.
3 min read · Journal Edition · Va’etchananEikevInherited Value
Eikev, shame, inherited worth, and recognizing the value Boreh Olam sees within us before growth becomes visible.
3 min read · Journal Edition · EikevRe’ehA Blessed Perspective
Re’eh, perspective, mitzvot, and how the way we see Torah shapes whether we experience it as a blessing or a burden.
3 min read · Journal Edition · Re’ehShoftimWhat We Do Becomes Us
Shoftim, repeated action, character, and how what we do over time shapes who we become.
3 min read · Journal Edition · ShoftimShoftimLeadership and Influence
Shoftim, authority, ethical leadership, and how leaders shape the values and behavior of the people around them.
3 min read · Journal Edition · ShoftimKi TeitzeiOne Voice
Ki Teitzei, the ben sorer u’moreh, parental unity, adolescent independence, and why teenagers benefit from consistent guidance.
3 min read · Journal Edition · Ki TeitzeiKi TavoThe Growth That Follows
Ki Tavo, post-traumatic growth, Bikkurim, and how understanding difficult experiences can shape the growth that follows.
4 min read · Journal Edition · Ki Tavo